(Cutting a very long story short) I've been recommended by my endo to take Liothyronine twice a day, but unfortunately her hands are tied and can't give me a prescription. She has advised me to get in online and mentioned Turkey. My friend is on holiday in Turkey at the moment so was going to buy some from a pharmacy over there for me. Could someone please tell me whether there are different strengths and what should she ask for??
I've tried getting back in touch with the endo but I can't get past the secretary. My friend will be coming home this week, so would really appreciate your help
Thanks
Xx
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Santaslittlehelper
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Technically, a friend bringing a prescription-only medicine into the UK for you would be breaking the law.
You are allowed only to bring such medicines for yourself and members of your household.
I say this not to criticise or be censorious, but so that you and your friend are fully aware. Of course, someone posting some from Turkey would not be subject to UK law and it would be perfectly legal for your to receive it for your own use. The risks are probably tiny in any case.
Your endocrinologist is despicable. She should stand up for you and do whatever fighting is necessary to get you the treatment you need. If that requires all UK endocrinologists rising up together and taking the relevant bits of management and government to court, so be it. They have so far brought words like "supine", "spineless", "self-preserving" to mind. Not bold, spirited people with our best interests at heart. I'd go as far at to suggest that she is failing the duties of a doctor as detailed by the GMC.
Thanks for the info helvella, I didn't realise it would be illegal with it being from a pharmacy. I'm so niave, I thought that would be safer than getting it online.
I understand what your saying about the endocrinologists, it's so frustrating xx
Yes the law says that it is illegal to import prescription-only medicines unless you are appropriately licensed (e.g. companies who are registered as importers of such things) with a specific exception for your own use, or that of members of your household.
It isn't that anyone would go to gaol for a few packets of liothyronine, but you wouldn't want your friend to have any problems, nor the product confiscated.
Is this an NHS endocrinologist? They are prefectly able to prescribe. They are being bullied by CCG into not initiating trial.
The endo/hospital should give prescription for initial 3 month trial. Assuming that all goes well, then your GP then takes over care (and cost) of prescribing
Well first thing you need to do is get full Thyroid and vitamin testing. Very likely you have Hashimoto's (medics ignore it as often don't understand it)
Essential to test both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies plus folate, B12 and ferritin BEFORE even considering T3
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.
All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
Your vitamin D is dire and 800iu is only enough for a small mouse
Only add one supplement at a time and wait at least ten days to assess
Come back with new post once you have results and ranges
If you have Hashimoto's this affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels. Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
What were your most recent TSH, FT4 and FT3 results? Likely you are not on high enough dose of Levothyroxine if TSH not around one, and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range
Unfortunately I didn't fast and I'd taken my levothyroxine, but my results were:
TSH 0.9 mU/L 0.30-6.00
TPO 31 kIU/L <34
PI Cortisol 162 nmol/L 140 - 500
Free T3 4.0 pmol/L 3.6 - 6.4
Free T4 18.1 pmol/L 10.0 - 22.0
I was on 175 levothyroxine about 7 years ago, I didn't feel exactly amazing on it, just felt 'normal' but I did manage to lost 3 stone, with diet and excercise but that was only 1lb a week, I worked hard at it, it didn't just drop off. I was then told my levels were at the top so had to be reduced to 150. I really struggled on 150 still had all the symptoms, but still had to really stick to my healthy eating plan but this time only to maintain my weight. I'd be more flexible when I went on holiday, put a few pounds on, but could never get this back off, just got back to maintaining again. I just kept putting it down to 'my thyroid' and its just the way it is. As I kept getting told by my GP that there was nothing wrong and I was on the right levels. (I'd never seen an endo at this point). However in June this year, apparently my TSH was too low so they reduced my thyroxine to 125. Since I've been on this, I have put on over a stone, I feel terrible, I'm just exhausted all of them time, too scared to drive in the evening incase I fall asleep at the wheel, the pain in my fingers (that was put down to my age!!) has got worse to the point I'm dropping things as I lose my grip. I went back to the doctors, (a different GP) and he said it was because my dose was still too high and wanted to reduce it further. As this was a new doctor I told him my history and that surely if this was the case I should be feeling better, not worse. He actually agreed with me, and keeping my on the 125, he finally referred me to the endo, which is were I'm at now.
I've had more help off yourselves today than I've had over the years with my doctors haha. Thankyou! Xx
As nobody else has mentioned this, I will. If you're going to start taking T3, don't start with the whole 25 mcg tablet. Cut it into four and start on 6.25 mcg. You might need to reduce your levo a little, but without seeing your labs, I can't comment on that.
Ahh thankyou, I will do. I'm scared to overdose. My endo did say she will probably need to reduce my thyroxine, that's why I have been trying to get in touch with her, but to no avail xx
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